The Baltimore Ravens may be the focus of attention for most fans around here, but what is going on around the AFC North should be newsworthy as well. The Ravens division rivals have been doing virtually the same thing at their respective training camps as has been going on in Baltimore, or more specifically Owings Mills. Let's take a look at some of the news surrounds the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
In Pittsburgh, tempers appear to be flaring a bit, especially between two players on the the Steelers. Cornerback Ike Taylor and wide receiver Antonio Brown have hooked up in fights not once, but twice thus far in camp, according to a story on NFL.com. One of their two clashes came after practice in the middle of the field and had to be broken up by the team's GM.
In addition, RB Rashard Mendenhall hopes to only miss the team's first six games due to his injury and rookie offensive tackle Mike Adams not only had a poor performance in the team's first pre-season game but also hurt his knee as well. Starting FB David Johnson tore his ACL and is expected to be out for the entire season.
(More on the Ravens AFC North opponents after the 'Jump')
The Cincinnati Bengals played the New York Jets in both team's first pre-season game and it wasn't a successful debut despite the victory, as four starters left the game due to injuries in the first half, according to NFL.com. Starting guard Travelle Wharton appears to be the most serious and is expected to miss the season. Another story mentions how undrafted and much-maligned linebacker Vontaze Burfict is learning quickly and while not a lock to make the team, could still end up being one of the draft's steals if he finds his way into the starting lineup.
The Cleveland Browns are the perennial cellar-dwellers of the AFC North, but hope to end that streak in 2012. They recently announced that rookie QB Brandon Weeden will be the team's starter, but he might have to do so without the benefit of first-round draft pick, RB Trent Richardson, who is dealing with a knee injury. According to NFL.com, Richardson is seeing noted orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, which is usually not good news. CB Joe Haden is facing a suspension after reportedly testing positive for Adderall, an illegal substance according to NFL rules. In Cleveland, the more things change, the more they stay the same.